Configure filesystem roots for Chrome DevTools MCP
Introduced 2026-09-08 · score 0.98
HOW TO USE IT
When starting Chrome DevTools MCP and you want filesystem tools limited to selected directories, repeat `--workspace` for each allowed directory. The CLI docs say `--allow-unrestricted-paths` cannot be combined with `--workspace`; server configuration also accepts `--filesystemRoot` or `--filesystem-root`.
chrome-devtools start --workspace=<repository-directory> --workspace=<output-directory>{"mcpServers":{"chrome-devtools":{"command":"npx","args":["chrome-devtools-mcp@<version>","--filesystem-root=<allowed-directory>","--filesystem-root=<another-allowed-directory>"]}}}WHY THIS HELPS
Limit filesystem tools to repository and output directories while starting Chrome DevTools MCP.
BEFORE THIS CHANGE
The CLI enables unrestricted filesystem access by default; use `--allow-unrestricted-paths` to retain that behavior for compatibility, but do not combine it with `--workspace`.
REQUIREMENTS AND LIMITATIONS
- Version: 1.9.0
- --workspace: Directory filesystem tools may access; repeat for each directory. Cannot be combined with `--allow-unrestricted-paths`.
- --filesystemRoot / --filesystem-root: Array of directories filesystem tools may access; may be specified more than once. Default: OS temp directory.
- --allow-unrestricted-paths: CLI compatibility option; cannot be combined with `--workspace`.
- Prerequisite: Install the CLI globally with `npm i chrome-devtools-mcp@latest -g` to make the `chrome-devtools` command available.
- The CLI enables unrestricted filesystem access by default.
- `--workspace` may be repeated for multiple directories.
- `--allow-unrestricted-paths` still works on its own for compatibility but cannot be combined with `--workspace`.
- The default `--filesystemRoot` is the OS temp directory.
- Configured roots work together with roots sent by the MCP client; temp directory access stays the same.
FIRST-PARTY EVIDENCE
- https://github.com/ChromeDevTools/chrome-devtools-mcp/releases/tag/chrome-devtools-mcp-v1.9.0
- https://github.com/ChromeDevTools/chrome-devtools-mcp/pull/2605
- https://github.com/ChromeDevTools/chrome-devtools-mcp/blob/d00e6f8239d9377fba60f19be635b1bef36ade33/docs/cli.md
- https://github.com/ChromeDevTools/chrome-devtools-mcp/blob/d00e6f8239d9377fba60f19be635b1bef36ade33/docs/configuration.md
Check the installed version and the source before using it. Entry JSON